Saturday, June 23, 2007

Handsets loaded with bank account details would be swiped over a reader to buy tickets from Oyster Card machines, and swiped again at the barriers to pay for journeys.

The handsets use 'near field communication' technology, which involves a short-wave radio activated when phones are touched against a screen or reader. They will be available at commercial levels from next year, and are already compatible with London Underground ticket machines.